Reading a column from xls file using perl

Hi Everyone!
I have a problem in reading a specific column from .xls file using perl language and then manipulating on given criteria.

Detailed Description of the problem::
I have one .xls file, in which i have to populate two columns based on Period_date column which is in same file.

My problem is how to read a specific column from a .xls file using perl.

maybe xlsperl will help.